Billy Schumacher knew it was time to retire back in 1976. Fourteen of his friends in the sport of hydroplane boat racing had died on the water, so he figured it was only a matter of time before he would meet the same fate.

Now, 46 years after he was the last driver to win a hydroplane race at Folsom Lake, Schumacher returns to the lake today through Sunday as the owner of the U-37 Miss Beacon Plumbing jet boat that will race as part of the inaugural BigWake Weekend.

“I’m tickled pink to get the chance to return to Folsom Lake as a boat owner on the same waters where I won in 1967,” said Schumacher, 70, a three-time national champion. “I can’t think of a better place to start the season in the United States. The weather is great, the water is high, and it’s one of the best possible places for spectators to see the entire course.

“A lot of places we race, fans can only see portions of the course. At Folsom Lake, fans should be able to see the entire race. That’s exciting.”